<p>I’m going to place my bet on it being the headlight switch or its connector.</p>
<p>HGFM - let me know if I win.</p>
<p>Will do, GladGradDad!</p>
<p>Just got back from dropping it off at the mechanic. VERY nice guy who seems like he’s doing an honest business. Took the time to talk me through what he already thinks is the problem after talking to my mom on the phone yesterday. He thinks it’s the internal body module or something to that effect–ie that the car doesn’t know to go to sleep when someone leaves the car, thus there’s a drain on the power, thus killing the battery. (Drove it last night, went to take it this morning and it was REALLY reluctant to start–but it did.) He said it could be part of the issue that my remote for keyless entry doesn’t work anymore, so since I’m locking the car manually it’s taking longer to go to sleep.</p>
<p>Went through a long laundry list of little quirks the car has with him. He brought up the same thing as Fendergirl–he’s seen a lot of Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge cars that when they get to this point they start going south and end up being more to fix than they’re worth. He was surprised to even see a '99 Chrysler.</p>
<p>Also said that cars don’t like it much when they’re not driven much for a few years and then put back into service every day–which is exactly what happened with mine.</p>
<p>We will see what he comes up with.</p>
<p>HGFM - The internal body module is one part of the Twilight Sentinel. (It has other functions besides Twilight Sentinel of course!)</p>
<p>Aha! Maybe that’s the problem after all :)</p>
<p>Just talked to my parents. He thinks it is the switch to turn the lights on & off and is replacing it. Of course he had to order an aftermarket part so it won’t be ready til Monday but that is always expected with my car. So yes, GladGradDad, you win!</p>
<p>I’ll keep you all posted on whether or not that fixes the problem.</p>
<p>Well…</p>
<p>I just got a call from the car guy that my car was ready to pick up. But when mom called to pay the headlights turned on by themselves YET AGAIN. So the switch was not the culprit after all.</p>
<p>He’s going to keep it at least another day and try to figure out the problem.</p>
<p>Dag nabit. =/</p>
<p>I have faith things will turn out OK in the end!</p>
<p>I guess I didn’t win.</p>
<p>I hope it gets (truly) fixed soon.</p>
<p>Mechanic now thinks it is the body control module.</p>
<p>Before he can have the part sent, they have to match it to my VIN number and mileage. So the mechanic calls Dodge and they say that according to their records, as of October 2009 my car has 167,000 miles on it. (which is over twice what it now has.)</p>
<p>Apparently the same sketchy dealer that I took it to at the beginning of this ordeal messed it up somehow when I took the car to them for a couple of years ago for a different problem. So my mom is now frantically getting records in order and giving the dealer h-e-double-hockey-sticks to have the mileage corrected. And I won’t have my car back for at least another week.</p>
<p>The nice thing is that if it IS the module, getting it replaced should fix several problems that are wrong with the car right now (fuel gauge is stuck on full, who knows if other gauges are messed up, etc.). And if it doesn’t fix the problem he won’t charge us for it.</p>
<p>I’m just getting SO frustrated with this darn car.</p>
<p>I had some similar electrical issues in my 1972 Alfa. Instead of chasing bad switches and grounds I just put a master switch right on the battery and shut off all the power when not using the car. Could be a PITA for everyday use but I only drive it maybe once or twice a month and it does the trick Never out of battery power. You could just shut it off when you are not going to be driving for several hours or overnight. Costs about $20. Simple install.</p>
<p>Barrons: '72 Alfa. Now I’m jealous. We briefly had an Alfa (GTV6). Loved it–especially when it was running well, which was pretty much only when driving it home from the mechanic. The electrical system was a nightmare, though. I remember all too well sitting at a traffic light and watching the electric windows go up and down and up and down and up and down… in a sleetstorm. We sold it as soon as the weather improved. The new owners took it to California.</p>
<p>barrons - I knew it! We WERE joined at the hip at birth! My infatuation was a '62 Giulietta Spider. It was Heaven when it ran … which was about 15% of the time. When I went overseas I let my brother have use of it. He courted his wife in it, covering her with blankets because the heater didn’t work. And yes, a mechanical On/Off switch at the battery served as both an anti-theft device AND insurance against getting all sweaty push-starting the car. Ah, memories.</p>
<p>I’m surprised no one has suggested that Mercury is in retrograde.</p>
<p>^^ We would have but she seems to have a Chrysler in degrade instead of a Mercury in retrograde.</p>
<p>Ah, yes, Mercury. I will suggest it to the mechanic.</p>
<p>Mine is a GTV and except for the electrical shortcomings it is a pretty well sorted and good looking rustfree car. I drive it any nice sunny day.</p>
<p>Well, I am FINALLY getting the car back today after almost 2 weeks at the shop. He says he got the part on Tuesday and has been monitoring it ever since and hasn’t seen the headlights turn on once.</p>
<p>Talked to him because I am leaving my car at SSU over winter break and it will be sitting for about 3 weeks straight. He said if I get back and the battery is dead that it’s just from sitting for 3 weeks and to jump it, then bring it back to him and he will re-charge it overnight free of charge.</p>
<p>Picking it up after my last Final Exam today at around 3pm. Thanks all for the advice and I will keep you posted if there are any more shenanigans. :)</p>
<p>Wow, Grace, what a long ordeal. Hopefully this is the end of it for a while. Have a relaxing break.</p>
<p>So far it seems to be doing great! The fuel gauge (which was stuck on full) is working, the lights are working when they are supposed to and not coming on when they shouldn’t be, AND…as an interesting addition…my remote keyless entry (which hasn’t worked in almost a year) is working again! :D</p>
<p>^
Wow, all of those things seem like possibly your problem was fixed! Good luck HSFM.</p>